The Cheapest - And Most Expensive - Red Carpet Looks From Our Favorite Celebrities

A celebrity's social calendar is often brimming with red carpet events. Whether they're award shows, product launches, or a simple party, they all provide stars with the same opportunity to look amazing in front of the camera. How much do celebrities pay to look this good, though?

It turns out that this can vary quite considerably. Some spend less than $100 on their outfit, while others wear ensembles worth millions. Whether their clothes are expensive or not, our favorite stars always seem to know how to make them look like they're worth absolutely everything.

Selena Gomez kept things affordable in a $27.80 Forever 21 dress at a Disney Fulfillment Gala

• Price: $27.80
• Designer: Forever 21
• Year: 2011
• Occasion: Disney Fulfillment Gala

Selena Gomez has no shortage of red carpet events to attend, thanks to her incredible success as both an actress and singer. Despite all these events, it's rare for her to look anything but flawless in front of the cameras. This is no exception. Luckily, she didn't have to pay an arm and a leg for this look.

Selena showed up to the 2011 Disney Fulfillment Gala in a Forever 21 dress that ShopYourTV says retails at $27.80. Even though Gomez has been earning big bucks for years, she knows you don't always need to pay much to look amazing. The fact it's so affordable just makes us love the dress - and Selena - like a love song.

Lana Del Rey showed affordable red carpet dresses can be beautiful in a $595 garment

• Price: $595
• Designer: Aidan Mattow
• Year: 2020
• Occasion: Grammy Awards

With Lana Del Rey, there are two things you're usually guaranteed: emotive music and gorgeous outfits. She proved just how good she is with the latter at the 2020 Grammy Awards, where she showed up in a silver beaded dress. The dress was by Aidan Mattow and was one of the cheapest red carpet dresses that night at just $595.

It wasn't the outfit she'd intended to wear for the ceremony, where she was nominated for Album and Song of the Year. However, after she went shopping with her boyfriend, Lana saw the outfit and loved it so much that she replaced her original garment. We'd say she made the right choice because Lana looks like a million-dollar woman.

Kim Kardashian wore Marilyn Monroe's $5 million dress to the 2022 Met Gala

• Price: $5 million
• Designer: Bob Mackie
• Year: 2022
• Occasion: Met Gala

If we're going to talk about expensive red carpet dresses, we can't shy away from what Kim Kardashian wore to the 2022 Met Gala. There was talk of the businesswoman wearing Marilyn Monroe's "Happy Birthday, Mr. President" dress, but we had to see it to believe it. After all, that outfit was bought for $5 million in 2016.

Choosing this dress wasn't without controversy, given claims that she'd damaged the historical garment. Kim wasn't allowed to alter it at all, so her body had to fit it perfectly, which some claim it didn't. Regardless, she looked phenomenal, especially with her blonde hair and the fur coat she wore on her arms. A real modern-day Marilyn.

Natalie Portman opted for a maternity-friendly $65 Topshop dress for an Academy Awards Luncheon

• Price: $65
• Designer: Topshop
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Academy Awards Luncheon

Expensive red carpet dresses might look amazing, but they're not always designed for every body shape. Certain pregnant celebrities sometimes struggle to find the perfect look that takes their baby bump into consideration. Fortunately, there are plenty of cheap red carpet dresses that have this covered, as Natalie Portman proved when she attended the Academy Awards Nominees Luncheon in 2017.

She didn't break the bank to afford this sleek, black ensemble. She apparently only had to pay $65 from Topshop, which is a steal when it comes to such a high-profile event. We're sure the actress is accustomed to usually wearing more expensive red carpet looks. However, on this occasion, Natalie looked perfect without spending the big bucks.

Jada Pinkett Smith had a $46,250 headpiece at the 2022 Critics' Choice Awards

• Price: $46,250
• Designer: Jacquie Aiche
• Year: 2022
• Occasion: Critics’ Choice Awards

Awards season is usually a celebratory time for celebrities. However, Jada Pinkett Smith might not agree after the drama between her husband and Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards. Still, there have definitely been some highlights for the actress, such as what she wore to the 2022 Critics' Choice Awards. She looked anything but cheap that night.

Her headpiece alone was apparently worth $46,250. The Jacquie Aiche custom-made accessory reportedly utilized 53 diamonds and offered the perfect complement to her structured brocade gown. Although the price of the dress itself is unknown, we expect it's also worth a fair amount, making this one of the most expensive red carpet looks we've seen.

Lupita Nyong'o stunned in a $150,000 dress made of Akoya pearls at the 2015 Oscars

• Price: $150,000
• Designer: Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein
• Year: 2015
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Lupita Nyong'o continues to ride the rails of success with her career, and it's doing wonderful things for her fashion. Each time she hits the red carpet, she proves she has what it takes to rock every look. One of Lupita's most notable outfits is the dress she wore to the 2015 Academy Awards, which was valued at $150,000.

The exceptional price is understandable, given it was apparently made with 6,000 Akoya pearls. Unfortunately, after the event, someone broke into her hotel room and stole the dress, presumably to make some money off of it. Thankfully, it was recovered shortly after in a restroom at the same hotel. Crisis averted for another day.

Bryce Dallas Howard bought a $240 Topshop dress for the 2016 Critics' Choice Awards

• Price: $240
• Designer: Topshop
• Year: 2016
• Occasion: Critics’ Choice Awards

It's natural to assume that all red carpet dresses are expensive. However, that clearly isn't the case, as celebrities like Bryce Dallas Howard have proven in the past. When she attended the 2016 Critics' Choice Awards, she didn't bother flashing the cash. Instead, Bryce hit the red carpet in something that reportedly only cost a few hundred dollars.

The mustard-colored gown was apparently fresh from Topshop, where she'd only had to part with $240. That might still be a lot to some people, but for a celebrity, that's normally on the cheap end. Why bother spending much more than that, though, when the outfit you end up with is as glamorous as this?

Julia Roberts walked away with her first Oscar in a $95,000 Valentino gown

• Price: $95,000
• Designer: Valentino
• Year: 2001
• Occasion: Academy Awards

It can be hard to believe that someone as talented as Julia Roberts has only ever won one Academy Award. This happened in 2001 when she was nominated for her third Oscar and finally beat the competition. It was her role in the biographical drama 'Erin Brokovich' that helped her succeed on what was a stunning night all around.

She already looked like a winner after arriving at the event in her Valentino dress, which didn't come cheap. The stylish black and white gown was one of the more expensive red carpet looks that night, valuing at around $95,000. The pricing seemed suitable on a night when Roberts finally got the recognition she deserved from the Academy.

Drew Barrymore showed that thrift stores can really come through with her $25 dress

• Price: $25
• Designer: Janine
• Year: 2010
• Occasion: Nylon and Express August Denim Issue party

Drew Barrymore has been through a lot to reach this point, balancing early success with quite a traumatic childhood. Fortunately, she's in a much better place now, with her past experiences helping her to stay down to earth, despite everything. That's apparently evident in Drew’s wardrobe, with the actress known for having some cheap red carpet outfits.

For example, when she once attended the Nylon and Express August Denim Issue party, Drew wore a dress that was only $25. It was a vintage Janine outfit that Drew apparently found in a Texan thrift store. This just proves that Macklemore and Ryan Lewis were right when they boasted about shopping in thrift stores in their number one single.

Kate Winslet wowed at the 2007 Academy Awards, thanks to her $100,000 Valentino look

• Price: $100,000
• Designer: Valentino
• Year: 2007
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Fans of the epic romantic-disaster film 'Titanic' - and we know there are plenty of them out there - will probably always have a soft spot for Kate Winslet. Her portrayal of Rose was legendary and part of what made the film so captivating. Fortunately, Winslet is just as charming off the screen, as evidenced by one of her most iconic looks.

For the 2007 Academy Awards, she wore an outfit reportedly worth around $100,000. She had a gorgeous mint-green outfit by Valentino, a designer responsible for many of these expensive red carpet dresses. Some might have considered the ensemble a risk, given its color, but Kate really made it work. She was easily one of the best-dressed stars that night.

Rooney Mara was dressed like a leading lady at the 2016 Oscars in her $100,000 garment

• Price: $100,000
• Designer: Givenchy
• Year: 2016
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Rooney Mara has been living the dream over the last decade. Not only has she been scoring some major big-screen roles, but she's also found love with Joaquin Phoenix. Her movie success has meant a lot of red carpet opportunities, as well as more money to spend on clothes. She's evidently made sure to take advantage of that.

In 2016, Rooney attended the Academy Awards wearing a Givenchy dress apparently valued at $100,000. It was an incredibly expensive garment, and rightfully so, given she was up for Best Supporting Actress. Of course, Rooney was no side character on the red carpet that night. The stunning outfit made her look every part the leading lady.

Nicole Richie kept things affordable in her $40 H&M dress at a Baby2Baby Gala

• Price: $40
• Designer: H&M
• Year: 2014
• Occasion: Baby2Baby Gala

Nicole Richie isn't someone for whom money has ever been much of an issue. After all, she's Lionel Richie's adopted daughter, and many know how legendary he is already. Just because someone has money, though, that doesn't always mean they have to spend it. Nicole knows full well how amazing some cheap red carpet dresses can look. 

For instance, she only paid $40 for the H&M outfit she wore to the 2014 Baby2Baby Gala. The turtleneck dress was stunning and made Nicole look both elegant and professional. We suppose she's grown up a lot since being on the reality series 'The Simple Life.' In fact, that show probably taught Nicole several things about being economical.

Lady Gaga made meat fashionable in her $100,000 dress for the MTV VMAs

• Price: $100,000
• Designer: Franc Fernandez
• Year: 2010
• Occasion: MTV VMAs

For Lady Gaga, the red carpet is usually an opportunity to show the world how creative and original she can be. She's shown up to events in some outrageous outfits over the years, although few were wackier than her 2010 MTV VMAs look. This was when she showcased the infamous meat dress that had virtually everyone talking.

Given that Gaga literally wore meat to the event, her dress was understandably quite divisive. Still, she managed to make it look glamorous, something only a true star like her could achieve. We suppose Gaga needed it to look good, given that the meat suppliers reportedly wanted $100,000. Yes, the dress really was that expensive.

Aisha Tyler only spent $129 at Zara for a film premiere outfit

• Price: $129
• Designer: Zara
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword premiere

Usually, when celebrities try to look their absolute best, it's for award ceremonies. However, there are plenty of other red carpet events worth making a good impression at, too, such as movie premieres. Even though most people are there to see the film, the red carpet is still a perfect opportunity for stars to steal some attention.

Aisha Tyler did that perfectly without even trying when she attended the 'King Arthur: Legend of the Sword' film premiere. It seems she only spent $129 at Zara when she showed up to watch the epic fantasy movie. You wouldn't have necessarily known it was so affordable to look at her, but the proof is there in the price tag.

Jessica Biel was apparently worth $100,000 in her 2014 Oscars Chanel dress

• Price: $100,000
• Designer: Chanel
• Year: 2014
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Over the years, Jessica Biel has attended many red carpet events, including the Golden Globes and MTV Movie Awards. She's been nominated so often that she knows how to make a splash at these events. An expensive dress often does the trick, as Jessica proved at the 2014 Academy Awards. Her Chanel outfit was definitely not off the rack.

She was the picture of elegance that night in a dress reportedly valued at around $100,000. Definitely one of the more expensive red carpet looks, particularly with the selection of Tiffany and Co. jewelry Jessica had on. The right accessories can really send the value of an outfit skyrocketing, as plenty of celebrities are well aware of by now.

Miranda Kerr stayed affordable in her $85 H&M dress for a Wonderbra event

• Price: $85
• Designer: H&M
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Wonderbra promotional event

It's the job of a model to pull off any outfit and make it look like it's worth a lot of money. So, even if they show up in some of the cheapest red carpet looks, you'd likely never be able to guess just by looking at them. Miranda Kerr proved that wonderfully when she attended a 2017 promotional event.

The lacy, red outfit looked pretty expensive at the Wonderbra event. However, in reality, it only cost as little as $85 from H&M. If a celebrity could buy all their red carpet dresses at this price and still look as incredible as Miranda did, imagine how much more money they'd have for other means.

Heidi Klum sparkled at the 2014 Golden Globes in an estimated $1 million worth of jewelry

• Price: $1 million
• Designer: Lorraine Schwartz
• Year: 2014
• Occasion: Golden Globes

There aren't many models who have made a splash quite like Heidi Klum. Highly respected in the industry, she's spent decades proving her GOAT status on the runway and at her phenomenal Halloween parties. Given how legendary she is, it's perhaps no great surprise that Heidi's responsible for wearing one of the most expensive red carpet looks.

It's unclear how much her floral Marchesa gown taken from the brand's spring collection was worth, same with the Louboutin sandals. However, we do know that Heidi’s jewelry at least was reportedly valued at around $1 million. She was all about the black diamonds at the 2014 Golden Globes, which made up her earrings, ring, and 200-carat necklace.

Kerry Washington reportedly paid under $100 for her 2020 Sundance Film Festival look

• Price: $100
• Designer: The Fold and J.Crew
• Year: 2020
• Occasion: Sundance Festival

Usually, women think about wearing a dress when they attend events like these. However, celebrities sometimes like to go a little outside of the box with their looks and still manage to make a statement. It's impressive, especially when they rock up in one of the more affordable red carpet outfits as Kerry Washington did at the 2020 Sundance Festival.

Washington kept things stylish but casual in her turtleneck sweater and jeans, with the former setting her back less than $100. Her look was pretty ski-chic, which was suitable given how cold it was during the festival. Washington was also seen keeping warm in a coat at the event, although the price for this stylish piece wasn't disclosed.

Beyoncé stunned in a $300,000 dress at the Met Gala, with pearls reportedly worth $8,000

• Price: $300,000
• Designer: Givenchy
• Year: 2016
• Occasion: Met Gala

If Beyoncé decides to do something, you know she's going to give it her everything. That's why she's Queen Bey. Although the singer isn't always a regular at these red carpet events, when she does show up, she often blows everyone else out of the water. Beyoncé certainly made quite the impact at the 2016 Met Gala.

Beyoncé rocked up in a Givenchy dress constructed with organic latex. It was reportedly worth as much as $300,000, with the outfit's pearls really driving the value up. That's because each of them allegedly cost $8,000. No wonder the singer looked the definition of expensive at the event, with her natural charisma making the garment appear even pricier.

Hailey Beiber demonstrated how affordable can be fashionable in her $48 Meshki dress

• Price: $48
• Designer: Meshki
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: New York Fashion Week party

Most people are probably familiar with the name Hailey Bieber, thanks to her connection to the Baldwin brothers and Justin Bieber. Of course, she's also done an excellent job of establishing herself through her career, where she stuns day after day as a model. Hailey is just another one of those women who can make any outfit work.

She didn't break the bank when she attended a New York Fashion Week party that Pat McGrath hosted in 2017. Instead, she reportedly spent just $48 on a silver Meshki dress that fit her body wonderfully. It was the perfect outfit for the event, with the low price meaning Hailey didn't need to stress if the garment got damaged.

Paris Hilton attended the Hollywood Beauty Awards in the $270,000 "Million Dollar" dress

• Price: $270,000
• Designer: August Getty
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Hollywood Beauty Awards

Paris Hilton isn't someone who's really ever needed to worry about money. Coming from the family responsible for the Hilton hotel empire, there's always been a steady supply of cash to rely on. Of course, she's made plenty of money herself through successful business ventures and product launches, all of which have helped Paris to afford quite a pricey wardrobe.

The most expensive look that Paris has ever rocked on the red carpet is the "Million Dollar" dress that she wore to the Hollywood Beauty Awards in 2017. Designed by August Getty, it features 500,000 Swarovski crystals and really does look like a million bucks. Technically, it's valued at around $270,000, but that's still exceptionally expensive.

Claire Danes kept costs low in her $70 maxi dress from Zac Posen's Target collection

• Price: $70
• Designer: Zac Posen for Target
• Year: 2010
• Occasion: Zac Posen’s Target Collaboration launch party

As the recipient of multiple Golden Globes and Primetime Emmy Awards, it's clear that Claire Dances is pretty phenomenal at what she does. The actress has never failed to wow audiences, whether in the teen drama 'My So-Called Life' or the espionage thriller 'Homeland.' It seems that ability to impress may also extend to the red carpet.

Danes was invited to the New York launch party for Zac Posen's Target collaboration, where she modeled one of the pieces from his limited-edition collection. The eye-catching maxidress was an absolute steal at $70, making this one of the more affordable red carpet dresses a celebrity has ever worn. Claire definitely doesn't make this garment look cheap, though.

Zendaya was reportedly worth at least $90,760 at the 2017 Fashion Awards

• Price: $90,760
• Designer: Harry Kotlar
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Fashion Awards

Zendaya is a woman on the rise. Ever since establishing herself on the Disney Channel, she's been making a splash in Hollywood blockbusters and on one of the biggest TV shows around. She's also been proving how incredible an eye for style she has by rocking some expensive red carpet looks during the many events she attends.

Her outfit at the 2017 Fashion Awards is potentially her priciest ensemble, with the jewelry alone reportedly valued at $90,760. The vast majority of that is from Zendaya’s Harry Kotlar diamond stud earrings, which were allegedly worth $90,295. The Vivetta Fall 2017 dress she had on didn't come with a price tag, but we expect it wasn’t cheap.

Julianne Hough danced her way to a discount in this $127.50 outfit

• Price: $127.50
• Designer: Unknown
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Dancing with the Stars in LA

Being on a reality competition series like 'Dancing with the Stars' comes with a ton of perks. That includes getting to wear incredible outfits every week, as Julianne Hough discovered during her time as both a dancer and a judge. She never failed to stand out from the crowd, whether she was on the dancefloor or behind the desk.

This outfit is no exception. The black single-sleeve garment is something Julianne reportedly wore for week six in 2017. The great thing about it is that it didn't cost her that much. She apparently only paid $127.50 to look so breathtakingly elegant. It's a shame we don't get treated to Hough showcasing these looks on the show anymore.

Charlize Theron was allegedly worth $4.5 million at the 2013 Academy Awards

• Price: $4.5 million
• Designer: Christian Dior
• Year: 2013
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Charlize Theron is a woman who simply doesn't know how not to impress. Every time she hits the red carpet, it's a moment. Of course, some outfits definitely shine brighter than others, like the Christian Dior gown she wore to the Academy Awards in 2013. This elegant white number was mind-blowing and definitely not cheap to come by.

It was the jewelry, in particular, that made this one of the most expensive red carpet looks. Although the dress alone was reportedly worth an incredible $100,000, the accessories apparently drove the value up to $4.5 million. That's because Charlize wore a pair of Harry Winston diamond earrings and wrist cuffs that are exceptionally valuable.

Connie Britton had one of the cheapest red carpet dresses with her $71 ASOS outfit

• Price: $71
• Designer: ASOS
• Year: 2013
• Occasion: All Is Lost premiere

Celebrities generally want to look their best whenever they hit the red carpet. However, there are certain events that tend to require more razzle-dazzle than others. People will typically save their most glamorous attire for events like the Oscars or Grammys, maybe saving the more affordable red carpet dresses for movie premieres or product launches.

Connie Britton is a good example of that, as she reportedly kept the price down when she was invited to the premiere of the drama film 'All Is Lost.' Her ASOS dress was only $71, not that it didn't look more the way Connie worked it on the red carpet. Her charisma alone bumped up the price.

Helen Mirren stepped out in $3.8 million jewelry at the 2018 Oscars

• Price: $3.8 million
• Designer: Harry Winston
• Year: 2018
• Occasion: Academy Awards

If there's any actress who knows a thing or two about being regal, it's Helen Mirren. After all, she once won an Oscar for portraying the Queen of England. With that in mind, it's perhaps no great surprise that Helen always looks like royalty on the red carpet. It probably helps that she sometimes steps out in very expensive looks.

Her 2018 Academy Awards outfit stands out in this regard, thanks to Helen’s jewelry worth a reported $3.8 million. Her necklace and earrings were by Harry Winston, which probably explains the price. We don't know the value of her custom Reema Acra dress, but its simplicity did an excellent service to those wonderful accessories.

Stella Maxwell was a bombshell in her $61.25 dress from Pretty Little Thing

• Price: $61.25
• Designer: Pretty Little Thing
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Bombshell fragrance launch

Being a Victoria's Secret Angel is something many models aspire to, particularly when they're finding their footing in the industry. So, Stella Maxwell was understandably thrilled when she got the job in 2015, and she's been blowing her fans away ever since. That includes at the Bombshell fragrance launch, where she wore one of her more affordable red carpet dresses.

Her outfit came from Pretty Little Thing and was remarkably cheap at $61.25. Stella has posed for Dolce and Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Versace, and so much more, so it's incredible to see her in something with such a reasonable price tag. We're not sure we could rock this outfit anywhere close to how Stella does here, though.

Cate Blanchett was dripping in crystals in her $200,000 2007 Oscars gown

• Price: $200,000
• Designer: Armani Privé
• Year: 2007
• Occasion: Academy Awards

For some stars, being nominated for an Academy Award is a rarity. For others, it's a regular honor. Cate Blanchett fits into the latter category, given she's been nominated eight times for one of these prestigious awards. She walked away with wins in 2005 and 2014, although it was in 2007 that she made one of the biggest splashes.

This was when Blanchett turned up in an Armani Privé dress that was believed to be worth $200,000. The embellishment of Swarovski crystals likely explains why the garment was worth so much. This is an outfit that many still consider to be one of the best looks the Academy Awards have ever seen, and we can understand why.

Selma Blair made an $80 dress look like it was worth $800 at a Target launch party

• Price: $80
• Designer: Zac Posen for Target
• Year: 2010
• Occasion: Zac Posen’s Target Collaboration launch party

Claire Danes wasn't the only one who was asked to help model Zac Posen's Target collaboration during the New York launch party. Selma Blair is another star who hit the red carpet that night, with her dress still very much within the realm of affordability. The navy-and-black tulle party dress was apparently worth just $80.

Selma has dozens of acting credits to her name, including the superhero film 'Hellboy,' the true-crime series 'American Crime Story,' and the romantic teen drama 'Cruel Intentions.' So, she was a big pull for the event. Posen needed people with plenty of charisma to help make the garments look like they were worth far more than customers had to pay.

Princess Diana attended the Cannes Film Festival in a dress that later sold for around $96,000 - $97,000

• Price: $96,000 - $97,000
• Designer: Catherine Walker
• Year: 1987
• Occasion: Cannes Film Festival

The Cannes Film Festival is one of the biggest events on the calendar, which means the people on the guestlist can be a real who's who. During the 1980s, Princess Diana was one of the lucky ones invited to the festival, where she showcased one of the more expensive red carpet looks. Her powder-blue diaphanous tulle gown was instantly iconic.

When the dress was eventually sold in 2013, it reportedly went for £81,000 (approximately $96,000-97,000,) which gives you a good idea of its value. The outfit was apparently homage to another royal figure - the late Grace Kelly - which Diana complemented with chandelier earrings, flat shoes, and a scarf. It's a look she'll always be remembered for.

Gabrielle Union got to wear a $79.95 dress to a film premiere, thanks to a brand deal

• Price: $79.95
• Designer: New York and Company
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: The Fate of the Furious premiere

Celebrities can source money in many different ways. It's not always through acting or singing that they generate their biggest paycheck - sometimes, it's through sponsorships. Brands are occasionally willing to pay big to have a famous face fronting whatever they're trying to sell. Of course, these deals sometimes have other perks, like your own clothing collection in Gabrielle Union's case.

When New York and Company asked her to be their spokesmodel, she was thrilled because she already supported the retailer. Working with them allowed Gabrielle to release a fashion collection, plus rock some of their outfits for red carpet events. That includes this affordable $79.95 garment for the premiere of the action-adventure movie ‘The Fate of the Furious.’

Priyanka Chopra was worth at least $3.2 million at the 2017 Oscars because of her earrings

• Price: $3.2 million
• Designer: Lorraine Schwartz
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Academy Awards

For some people, the 2017 Oscars was an unforgettable event. Leonardo DiCaprio probably had the best time that night, given he finally walked away with an award after losing out five times before. However, when people weren't celebrating his momentous win, they were giving praise to some of the best outfits to ever walk the red carpet, including Priyanka Chopra's.

The stunning floral piece was created by Zuhair Murad and made Chopra the absolute picture of elegance. Looking at it, some would be willing to put its value at six figures, maybe even seven. We don't know the cost of the dress, but we do know that her Lorraine Schwartz earrings allegedly cost a whopping $3.2 million.

Janel Parrish only spent $49 on her romper from Pretty Little Thing

• Price: $49
• Designer: Pretty Little Thing
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Pretty Little Liars Paleyfest Panel

People don't always tend to think of celebrities as searching for bargains and trying to be economical at every opportunity. However, as these cheap red carpet dresses demonstrate, not all stars are interested in breaking the bank with each outfit. Janel Parrish certainly wasn't bothered about spending more than was necessary when she attended this event.

Her outfit was sophisticated, stylish, and stunning, but she didn't find it in some designer boutique. The pink romper apparently came from Pretty Little Thing, where Parish only had to pay $49. We're all for affordable red carpet outfits when they look this incredible, so Janel definitely did the right thing by keeping things on the cheaper side.

Rihanna apparently felt like a “clown” in her $3.97 million 2015 Met Gala ensemble

• Price: $3.97 million
• Designer: Guo Pei
• Year: 2015
• Occasion: Met Gala

Although celebrities don't tend to reveal how much their Met Gala outfits cost, the garments usually look incredibly expensive. We're not sure whether any of them could match the price of what Rihanna wore in 2015, though. The singer looked the definition of rich, with the theme of the event being 'China: Through the Looking Glass.'

For her contribution, Rihanna arrived in a Guo Pei gown that was allegedly worth $3.97 million. She later said she felt a bit of a "clown" in the outfit simply because of how extra it was. The Met Gala is the perfect opportunity for such extravagant looks, though. There's never a more perfect time to wear something like this.

Winona Ryder shopped second-hand and bought a $9 gown for one of her red carpet dresses

• Price: $9
• Designer: Unknown
• Year: 2005 and 2014
• Occasion: Movie premiere and Sean Penn’s Haiti benefit

Winona Ryder's been an icon of the screen for years, as evidenced by the fact that she's been on the Hollywood Walk of Fame since 2000. Her acting talents have helped her rack up a ton of credits, as well as several Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations. Despite this, though, she's not someone who always wears expensive clothes.

In fact, Winona is responsible for one of the cheapest red carpet dresses ever after she turned up to an event in a $9 outfit. Apparently, the actress fell in love with this dress, which she bought second-hand, and saw no reason not to wear it. Who can blame her? The garment certainly doesn't look like it's worth $9.

Amy Adams was reportedly worth an incredible $10.6 million at the 2014 Golden Globes

• Price: $10.6 million
• Designer: Valentino
• Year: 2014
• Occasion: Golden Globes

It's hard to believe that Amy Adams has been in the industry for over two decades now. It sometimes still feels like only yesterday that we were introduced to her for the first time. However, her many award nominations prove that she's not a newbie, with Amy winning quite a few accolades, like her Golden Globe in 2014.

Amy really came out on top this evening because she showed up to the event in a beautiful red Valentino gown. It's believed to be one of the most expensive red carpet looks there's been, although it's the jewelry that apparently drives the value up. She had 10-karat diamond earrings and a 30-karat diamond pendant reportedly worth $10.6 million.

Nicky Hilton celebrated Calvin Klein in a Target minidress that only cost her $45

• Price: $45
• Designer: Rodarte’s Go International Collection for Target
• Year: 2010
• Occasion: Calvin Klein Men’s and Women’s Spring Collections Preview Benefit

Much like her sister Paris, money isn't usually an issue for Nicky Hilton. When she got married, she reportedly wore a wedding dress worth $77,000, so she definitely wasn't struggling for cash. Nevertheless, Nicky understands that you don't always have to dress expensively to look expensive. That's why she kept things affordable at a Calvin Klein event.

This leopard minidress apparently only set Hilton back $45, which is likely almost nothing for someone with her background. She reportedly got the minidress from Rodarte's Go International Collection at Target. We'd say Nicky made the right choice because she looks fantastic and doesn't have to think twice about whether she spent too much on her outfit.

Blake Lively was a living goddess at the 2018 Met Gala in her $2 million plus ensemble

• Price: $2 million
• Designer: Versace
• Year: 2018
• Occasion: Met Gala

So often, the Met Gala leaves us completely speechless. Every year, plenty of celebrities go above and beyond to deliver some of the best red carpet looks of all time. We don't even hesitate to include Blake Lively in that list with her contribution to the 'Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and The Catholic Imagination' theme of 2018.

The gown was custom Versace, and it reportedly took over 600 hours to put together the embroidered bodice. It was one of the most expensive red carpet dresses there's ever been, particularly because of the jewelry. Her diamond and ruby rings, gold bracelets, 30-carat Colombian emerald and diamond earrings, and 100-carat diamond halo came to an amazing $2 million.

Kelly Osbourne shows you can transform your style and still stay affordable for $36

• Price: $36
• Designer: H&M
• Year: 2010
• Occasion: Nylon and Express August Denim Issue party

Few celebrities have had a style transformation quite like Kelly Osbourne over the years. She used to be known for her punk aesthetic as a teenager, but as she's grown up, she's showcased a lot more glamor. Of course, glamor doesn't always equal expensive, with Kelly pretty efficient at rocking a lot of affordable red carpet dresses.

One of her best was this $36 garment she bought from H&M. Animal print isn't always easy to pull off as it can sometimes appear quite cheap. However, Kelly had no trouble making it work for her, proving just how sensational it can look. It's something we expect her former 'Fashion Police' co-stars would approve of now.

Jennifer Lopez showed up to the 2019 Met Gala dripping in jewels worth $8.8 million

• Price: $8.8 million
• Designer: Versace
• Year: 2019
• Occasion: Met Gala

Jennifer Lopez is a woman who goes hard or goes home. She's been a real stunner on the red carpet ever since she started her career all those years ago. As she's become more famous, she's rocked some increasingly expensive looks, culminating in what she showed off at the 2019 Met Gala. Lopez was a waterfall of jewels that night.

Both the dress and headpiece were Versace creations that made her shimmer under the lights. People rightfully couldn't take their eyes off her, with many assuming J.Lo had one of the most expensive red carpet dresses of the night. They weren't wrong because her Harry Winston accessories - which included her 129.48-carat necklace - were apparently worth $8.8 million.

Octavia Spencer wore an Eliza J two-piece worth just $268 in 2017

• Price: $268
• Designer: Nordstrom
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala

Octavia Spencer really is a woman who gives it her all with every role she fills. It's ensured that producers are constantly casting her in films while also attracting the attention of many different brands. Plenty of companies want her to wear their clothes, although Octavia isn't typically one for choosing pricey garments over something she feels comfortable in.

That's why Octavia attended the 2017 Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala in such an affordable outfit. Her Eliza J two-piece outfit was just $268, which isn't much at all when you consider what the actress is worth. Compared to some of these dresses, it's easily one of the most affordable red carpet looks that we've seen.

Anne Hathaway stunned in an $80,000 dress with a $10 million necklace at the 2011 Oscars

• Price: $10 million
• Designer: Valentino and Tiffany & Co.
• Year: 2011
• Occasion: Academy Awards

The 2011 Oscars were a big night for Anne Hathaway. She was tasked with presenting the awards, something that some viewers felt didn't go off without a hitch. Regardless of the criticism, though, Hathaway stunned in an amazing eight different outfits that night, meaning she must have had quite the expensive wardrobe. Still, one look stood out from the crowd.

On the red carpet, the actress showed off this red Valentino dress crafted from silk faille. The gown itself was apparently worth $80,000, with the value soaring when paired with her Tiffany and Co. necklace. That was reportedly valued at $10 million. Unfortunately, we don't know the cost of Anne’s other looks, but we doubt they were cheap either.

Angelina Jolie spent just $26 on a dress to attend the premiere of her movie

• Price: $26
• Designer: Wasteland
• Year: 2007
• Occasion: A Mighty Heart premiere

Angelina Jolie has earned her status as a legendary legend in the film industry. Every time she hits the big screen, she blows many away with her acting talent. That's why she's repeatedly been the highest-paid actress in Hollywood and earned nomination after nomination at various award ceremonies. This doesn't mean Angelina's obsessed with wearing expensive clothes, though.

While Jolie has worn some expensive red carpet dresses in the past, she's also worn some pretty cheap ones too. For instance, she only had to pay $26 for this vintage dress she picked up at Wasteland. She showcased it at the premiere of her drama movie 'A Mighty Heart' and proved that even Hollywood royalty can keep things affordable.

Katy Perry displayed her love for music in her 2014 Grammy Awards dress worth around $100,000

• Price: $100,000
• Designer: Valentino
• Year: 2014
• Occasion: Grammy Awards

Like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry is one of those celebrities you can rely on for camp and creative costumes. This woman has dressed up as a chandelier, a burger, and even a bottle of hand sanitizer over the years. Her kooky flair meant that she was the perfect star to rock this Valentino creation at the 2014 Grammy Awards.

The outfit featured musical notes printed on the lace and wonderfully represented Katy's love of music. It was reportedly showcased on the runway in Paris just days before the ceremony, where it survived the flight to America. That's a relief, given the garment allegedly cost around $100,000, so any damage would come with quite the bill.

Gabourey Sidibe tends to wear affordable red carpet looks like her $64.90 Torrid dress

• Price: $64.90
• Designer: Torrid
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: SXSW

Sometimes, celebrities don't have a choice but to buy cheap red carpet dresses. It's not that they don't have the money to buy pricier stuff; there's simply nothing available that fits them. That's an issue that Gabourey Sidibe has reportedly faced numerous times in the past, with designers refusing to provide her with clothes because of her size.

As a result, she's often opted to buy outfits from more everyday brands and showcased these on the red carpet. That includes Gabourey’s floral minidress at SXSW that she bought from Torrid, which reportedly retails at $64.90. Gabourey looked just as amazing as if she'd been wearing something expensive because that's how good she is at pulling off looks.

Cate Blanchett was worth reportedly over $18 million at the 2014 Academy Awards

• Price: $18 million
• Designer: Armani Privé
• Year: 2014
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Some celebrities wear so many phenomenal and expensive red carpet dresses that it's impossible just to talk about one look. Cate Blanchett is an example of that, with her 2014 Academy Awards outfit being another stunner that's worth mentioning. The dress alone - which was a beige Armani Privé piece - was valued at $100,000 before Cate added all the accessories.

The actress really went all out by pairing her dress with accessories reportedly worth $18 million. This included her diamond bracelet and the earrings apparently crafted using 62 opals. The Swarovskis attached to her dress meant she was already covered in jewels, but these accessories just took things to a whole new level. She was positively radiant that night.

Avril Lavigne enjoys walking the red carpet in her own clothes, including this $49 outfit

• Price: $49
• Designer: Abbey Dawn
• Year: 2011
• Occasion: Abbey Dawn after-party

Celebrity fashion lines are nothing new. Stars have been designing their own clothes for years, often in the hope that fans who share their style will buy them. Avril Lavigne is just one example of this, with the singer launching Abbey Dawn in 2008 and attracting plenty of sales from those who love her punky aesthetic.

Lavigne is so passionate about her clothing lines that she's not shied away from wearing her own outfits on the red carpet. Why not? It's an excellent way to promote the clothes and bring attention to how affordable some of them are. For instance, this piece from Avril’s collection only cost $49, and she showcased it perfectly.

Charlize Theron was the definition of rich at the 2013 Oscars, in an ensemble worth almost $15.9 million

• Price: $15.9 million
• Designer: Diot and Harry Winston
• Year: 2013
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Charlize Theron is another celebrity who's had too many iconic moments on the red carpet to only draw attention to one of them. While her 2013 Oscars dress was definitely one of the more expensive red carpet outfits we've seen, it can't quite compare to her look from the following year. Charlize was worth almost $15.9 million that night.

A small part of this came from her black Dior gown, which apparently cost roughly $90,000. The rest was made up of her Harry Winston accessories, like the 31-carat necklace. Alongside her ring and earrings, this emerald-cut piece came to an incredible $15.8 million. Charlize was the definition of rich at this awards ceremony.

Zendaya spent a sensible $36 on her Daya dress for the 2017 Kids' Choice Awards

• Price: $36
• Designer: Daya
• Year: 2017
• Occasion: Kids’ Choice Awards

Zendaya really is everywhere that we look at the moment. Thanks to roles like Rue in the teen drama 'Euphoria' and MJ in the superhero movie franchise 'Spider-Man,' she's constantly going to award ceremonies and premieres. Many people would be running out of clothes to wear at this point, but Zendaya always has something to show off.

Of course, it helps that the actress doesn't always opt for expensive clothes when she goes to these events. She's rocked plenty of affordable red carpet outfits, like the $36 Daya ensemble Zendaya wore to the Kids' Choice Awards in 2017. Unsurprisingly, Zendaya served in the dress just like she always does because she never falters on the red carpet.

Jennifer Lawrence wore a $4 million dress to the 2013 Oscars where she fell over

• Price: $4 million
• Designer: Dior
• Year: 2013
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Jennifer Lawrence really made her mark at the 2013 Academy Awards. It was here that she won her nomination for Best Actress and stunned in a beautiful gown. Unfortunately, it was also here that she fell over on her way to the stage, doing so in front of millions of viewers. What made Jennifer trip up, though?

Some people assumed that she stood on her dress, which was a Dior Couture garment allegedly worth $4 million. According to Lawrence, it was apparently because she wasn't thinking about trying to walk in the outfit. Her mind was supposedly on other things, so she forgot she was meant to kick out before taking a step forward.

Emily Ratajowski opted for one of the more affordable red carpet looks in her $50 Zara dress

• Price: $50
• Designer: Zara
• Year: 2019
• Occasion: Harper’s Bazaar party

It's quite surprising how many models seem to wear cheap red carpet outfits. You might think that because of their job, they'd always show up in something expensive. However, it seems to have become a trend with these celebrities to keep their dresses on the more affordable side when they go to a lot of events.

Emily Ratajowski is someone else who preferred not to clean out her bank account for one look. When she showed up at a 2019 Harper's Bazaar party, her outfit was apparently worth just $50. She'd bought the gorgeous red dress from Zara, not that it seemed that way. A famous designer could have made it with the way Emily looked.

Carrie Underwood looked like a winner in her $31 million necklace at the 2013 Grammys

• Price: $31 million
• Designer: Jonathan Arndt
• Year: 2013
• Occasion: Grammys

Carrie Underwood seems to know a thing or two about winning music awards. She's had phenomenal success at tons of different ceremonies, taking home close to 200 trophies throughout her career. That includes eight Grammys, which is a lot for any artist to walk away with. It's not just winning awards that she's known for at this event, though.

In 2013, Underwood blew people away in her Robert Cavalli dress. She looked exceptionally elegant in the black number that was accessorized perfectly with a 380-carat diamond necklace. While the value of the dress is unclear, the jewelry was apparently as expensive as $31 million. That's a necklace fit for a winner of Carrie's caliber.

Kylie Jenner supported Pretty Little Thing by wearing one of their $35 dresses

• Price: $35
• Designer: Pretty Little Thing
• Year: 2016
• Occasion: Pretty Little Thing launch party

It's pretty well established that Kylie Jenner has money. She was once named the youngest self-made billionaire, although that's a title that's now been given to Rihanna. Regardless, she's still got tons of cash, thanks to all the success Kylie's had with clothing and cosmetics. However, it appears she doesn't always like spending it on her red carpet outfits.

Kylie has been known to shop on the cheaper side every now and again, including when she attended a Pretty Little Thing launch party. Understandably, she wore one of the brand's dresses, a sleek orange number that people can buy for as little as $35. It apparently sold out instantly after fans saw her wearing it.

Lady Gaga gave Audrey Hepburn vibes in her $40 million ensemble at the 2019 Oscars

• Price: $40 million
• Designer: Alexander McQueen
• Year: 2019
• Occasion: Academy Awards

Lady Gaga might love her wacky outfits, but she's proven time and again that she can do glamor when she feels like it. The 2019 Academy Awards was one such occasion, with the singer looking exceptionally stunning on such a special day for her. It was an appropriate look, given she walked away with her first Oscar.

Gaga’s breathtaking ensemble was courtesy of Alexander McQueen, a fashion house that she's supported throughout her career. The look gave off some wonderful Audrey Hepburn vibes, with Gaga even wearing a necklace from Tiffany and Co. This is what made her outfit one of the most expensive red carpet looks around because the jewelry alone was valued at $40 million.